# NTSB ANC83LA121: Piper PA-18, N1423Z, Ninilchik, AK, July 11, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 11, 1983, 13:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Ninilchik, AK
- Coordinates: 60.069137, -151.419921 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.0691&lon=-151.4199&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4142
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC83LA121
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4142/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC83LA121

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - lift-off - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT HAD SELECTED A 1500 FT AREA OF MOIST SAND ALONG A BEACH AREA FOR HIS TAKEOFF. HE STATED THAT THE WIND HAD INCREASED FROM 10 TO 20 KTS DURING HIS 2 1/2 HRS ON THE GROUND. REPORTEDLY, HE TOOK OFF INTO THE WIND WITH 1 NOTCH (10 DEG) OF FLAPS & THE ACFT ROLLED APRX 50 FT & BECAME AIRBORNE. THE PLT EXPERIENCED CONTROL DIFFICULTY AS HE DEPARTED GROUND EFFECT. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT ENTERED A RIGHT BANK, BEGAN DESCENDING, THEN CRASHED. THE PLT STATED THAT THE LEFT WING TANK WAS LOW ON FUEL, WHILE THE RIGHT TANK WAS FULL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1423Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1423Z), registered now, S/N 18-1924, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150) (registry code 7101828) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-1924
- Airframe hours: 4585
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Neil Arthur Webster
- Registered owner: Larry G. Berry
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 1983, 60 hours before
- Destination: POLLY CREEK, AK
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 280 total, 63 in this make and model, 2,213 as pilot in command, 53 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 20 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19830711074739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830711074739A), Jul 11, 1983: Piper PA18150, Ninilchik, AK, Destroyed. Stalled and spun into beach sand shortly after liftoff. Used incorrect control inputs causing cross control stall.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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